Brookland - 2 posts

After being forced out of Adams Morgan by gentrification, Carla Perlo was left with no choice but to find an alternative home for her newly established organization, Dance Place. Her monthly rent quadrupled from $1,500 to $6,000 nearly overnight in 1986. Brookland in Northeast became her solution.

Student Denaise Seals moves swifty through the studio, smiling at each dancer that passes by her at her intermediate modern dance class. / Photo by Maya Kosover.

When attempting to find the Brookland neighborhood on a D.C. map almost 30 years ago, it was close to impossible – the map key covered it.

Now, in addition to Catholic University and the Washington Hospital Center, the area is full of developing real estate and cultural, creative spaces, including Dance Place.

The Turkey Thicket rec center is an important part of the Brookland community in D.C. Andre Route leads a youth mentorship program for boys at Turkey Thicket Rec Center. This video takes a glimpse into the program (Litte Guys, Big Futures) and Andre Route’s position at the center.